Vehicle intake

ABSTRACT

A vehicle including an air intake system for an engine component includes a vehicle frame including one or more frame components, at least one of the one or more frame components includes an engine air passage and at least one intake port in communication with the engine air passage. At least one duct port of the frame component is in communication with the engine air passage. An engine component is coupled with the vehicle frame, and an intake duct extends from the at least one duct port to the engine component.

PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 62/205,973, filed Aug. 17, 2015, the content ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever. The following notice applies to the software and dataas described below and in the drawings that form a part of thisdocument: Copyright Arctic Cat, Incorporated; Thief River Falls, Minn.,USA. All Rights Reserved.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document pertains generally, but not by way of limitation, to airintakes and exhausts.

BACKGROUND

Air intakes are used with vehicle engine components including engines(internal combustion engines, hybrid motors, electrical motors, naturalgas based motors and other alternative energy motors) and transmissionsto provide cooling air or combustion air to facilitate the operation ofthe components.

In one example, an air intake includes ductwork extending throughportions of the vehicle forward of the engine component to provide aclean and relatively cool source of air for the engine component. Forinstance, in an example, an intake port is provided in front of anengine to separate the intake air from exhaust air that is heated orincludes exhaust components that are unsuitable for use by an enginecomponent. In another example, a vehicle includes an intake port inclose proximity to an engine component, for instance near a cargo areaof the vehicle. The ductwork extends from the intake port near the cargoarea to the engine component. In yet another example, the vehicleincludes a transmission intake port and associated transmission airductwork extending from one side of a vehicle to a transmission such asa continuous variable transmission. The vehicle includes an engineintake port and associated engine air ductwork extending from the otherside of the vehicle to the engine (e.g., to provide piston air for aninternal combustion engine).

Overview

The present inventors have recognized, among other things, that aproblem to be solved can include minimizing the fouling of intake airfor an engine component while at the same time minimizing noise forvehicle occupants. For instance, some example air intake systems includean intake within a vehicle cabin to provide an isolated source of air toan engine component (e.g., internal combustion engine, electric, hybrid,natural gas, continuous variable transmission (CVT) etc.). While the airis, for the most part, free of particulate, exhaust and the like, enginenoise is directed into the vehicle cabin through the ductwork and intakeport. In other examples, air intake systems include an intake portprovided on a vehicle exterior, for instance at a rear portion of thevehicle near one or more of the cargo area, the engine and rear wheels.In riding and driving conditions it is possible to foul the intake portand even allow the ingress of particulate, water, mud or the like.

In an example, the present subject matter can provide a solution to thisproblem, such as by providing a vehicle including an air intake systemhaving one or more intake ports provided outside of the vehicle cabin.As described herein, the one or more intake ports open away from thevehicle cabin and thereby accordingly direct engine noise (e.g., fromone or more engine components) away from the vehicle as well as theassociated rider or driver (and passengers). In one example, the one ormore intake ports are provided in front of the vehicle cabin (andoutside of the cabin) and are coupled with the engine component with apassage (e.g., ductwork, frame component or the like). The forwardposition of the one or more intake ports isolates the port (or ports)from particulate (grime, flying mud and debris), exhaust, water or thelike otherwise more prevalent toward the rear of the vehicle while atthe same time directing engine noise away from the vehicle cabinincluding a rider, passenger or the like. Accordingly, fouling of theone or more intake ports is minimized while engine noise heard by therider or passenger is also minimized.

In still another example, the one or more intake ports include aplurality of intake ports such as first and second intake ports for theone or more engine components. As described herein, a first intake portis provided on a first side of the vehicle (e.g., one or more of infront of or outside the vehicle cabin) and a second intake port isprovided on a second side of the vehicle (e.g. an opposed side). Byproviding two or more ports that feed air to the engine component (orcomponents) fouling of one of the ports by water, particulate or thelike will not preclude the flow of air to the engine component.Accordingly, even in an extreme off road environment (mudding, creeks,streams and the like) where one of the ports is fouled the other portremains open to allow continued operation of the vehicle.

The present inventors have recognized, among other things, that anotherproblem to be solved can include minimizing the ductwork for an airintake system. As described herein, in some examples one or more intakeports are positioned forwardly and outside of a vehicle cabin tominimize engine noise to the rider and passenger while at the same timeminimizing fouling of the intake ports. Vehicles such as ATVs, ROVs,side by side ATVs and the like include engine components such as a powersource (e.g., engine) or continuous variable transmission at leastpartially behind the vehicle cabin. Accordingly, passages for intake airare needed to transport air from the intake ports (e.g., in front of thevehicle cabin) to the engine components toward the rear of the vehicle.Space is at a premium in vehicles and ductwork extending through thevehicle assumes at least some space.

In an example, the present subject matter can provide a solution to thisproblem, such as by providing a vehicle including an air intake systemhaving at least one frame component with an engine air passage. The oneor more intake ports communicate with the engine air passage and thepassage directs air to the engine component. Where two or more intakeports are provided the ports are in one example located on the sameframe component. In another example, the two or more intake ports arelocated on differing frame components. The one or more engine framecomponents deliver intake air to the engine component (e.g., a powersource such as an engine, continuous variable transmission or the like).Optionally, the one or more engine frame components are coupled with theengine component with an intake duct. The one or more engine framecomponents allow for the routing of engine air from almost any locationof the vehicle that includes a tubular frame component. Stated anotherway, with a vehicle frame including a plurality tubular frame componentsintake ports are formed on any number of the frame components and theengine air passages are used to route the engine air to the enginecomponents, optionally with a supplemental intake duct.

The consolidation of intake passages with the vehicle frame minimizesthe overall profile of the air intake system relative to the vehicle andthereby saves space in the vehicle for other components while at thesame time allowing for remote positioning of the intake ports, forinstance toward the front of the vehicle (e.g., in front of the vehiclecabin). Space savings are further realized with two or more intake portsthat are located at different portions of the vehicle and that use framecomponents as opposed to supplemental ductwork to connect the ports withthe engine component. Further, components of the air intake system (andthe corresponding cost) are minimized as one or more frame componentsare optionally used to deliver intake air.

This overview is intended to provide an overview of subject matter ofthe present patent application. It is not intended to provide anexclusive or exhaustive explanation of the invention. The detaileddescription is included to provide further information about the presentpatent application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numeralsmay describe similar components in different views. Like numerals havingdifferent letter suffixes may represent different instances of similarcomponents. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, butnot by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the presentdocument.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vehicle frame including one example ofan air intake system.

FIG. 3A is a side view of the air intake system of FIG. 2

FIG. 3B is schematic view of the air intake system of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of a vehicle and one exampleof a frame component including an engine air passage and one or moreintake ports.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the port of the vehicle and the frame componentof FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of another example of an air intake systemincluding a plurality of frame components including engine air passagesand one or more intake ports.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of another example of an air intake system.

FIG. 8A is a detailed front view of a portion of the vehicle frame withone example of a fouling shield extending over an intake port.

FIG. 8B is a partial sectional view of the fouling shield and intakeport of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9 is a perspective of an additional example of an air intakesystem.

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of one example of an intake filter.

FIG. 10B is a cross sectional view of the intake filter of FIG. 10A.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of one example of a method for inputting airto an engine component and attenuating noise from the engine component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows one example of a vehicle 100. As shown the vehicle 100, inone example, is an ATV, such as a side-by-side ATV (also known asrecreational off-road vehicle (ROV)). In another example, the vehicle100 as described herein includes, but is not limited to, one or more ofan ATV, a side-by-side ATV or ROV, snowmobile, power sport vehicle orthe like. Referring again to FIG. 1, the vehicle 100 is shown with atleast one engine component 102 including one or more of an engine, aninternal combustion engine, a transmission, a continuous variabletransmission or the like. The one or more engine components 102 areprovided in one example in the vehicle rear portion of 122. In anotherexample, the one or more of the engine components 102 are provided inthe vehicle front portion 120. In yet another example, one or more ofthe engine components 102 are provided in one or both of the vehiclerear portion 122 or the vehicle front portion 120.

As further shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 100 includes a first vehicleside 108 and a second vehicle side 110. In one example, the first andsecond vehicle sides 108, 110 correspond to the left and right sides ofthe vehicle 100. In another example, the first and second vehicle sides108, 110 correspond to other side portions of the vehicle 100 includingportions (and not necessarily the entirety), of one or more of the leftand right sides, top and bottom sides, front and rear sides of thevehicle 100 or the like. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of groundengaging members 104 are provided with the vehicle 100. As shown in FIG.1, the ground engaging members 104 include wheels and optionally includetires coupled with the wheels. In other examples, the ground engagingmembers include, but are not limited to, one or more of wheels, skis,tracks or the like. The ground engaging members 104 are operativelycoupled with one or more of the engine components 102. The enginecomponents 102 provide power to one or more of the ground engagingmembers 104 to accordingly provide motive power to the vehicle 100.

As will be described in detail herein, the vehicle 100, in an example,includes an intake system 112 that provides air to the one or moreengine components 102. Referring again to FIG. 1, the intake system 112is shown in broken lines within the vehicle 100. The intake system 112,in one example, includes an intake duct 118 extending from an enginecomponent 102 toward the vehicle front portion 120. For instance, asshown the intake duct 118, in one example, extends beneath or through avehicle cabin 106 of the vehicle 100. The intake duct 118 extends to thevehicle front portion 120 and, in one example, splits, for instance,toward two or more intake ports 114. As shown in FIG. 1, the intake duct118, in another example, is coupled with an engine air passage 116 thatprovides fluid communication from the intake ports 114 to the intakeduct 118. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a first intake port 114 isprovided on the first vehicle side 108 and a second intake port 114 isprovided on another side of the vehicle 100 including, for example, thesecond vehicle side 110. As previously described, in other embodimentsthe vehicle sides include one or more of portions of the left, ride,top, bottom, front and rear sides of the vehicle 100.

The intake system 112 shown in FIG. 1, and in other examples describedherein, provides intake air to one or more engine components 102 of thevehicle 100. For instance, the intake system 112 provides air to one ormore of a continuous variable transmission, an engine (for internalcombustion), cooling air or the like to one or more engine components102. In another example, the intake system 112 provides air to aplurality of engine components 102 including, but not limited to, anengine, a continuous variable transmission, transmission or the like.One or more intake ports 114 are provided forward of the vehicle cabin106 and are directed away from the vehicle cabin 106 (e.g., outwardlyrelative to the vehicle 100) to provide a clean, cool stream of air tothe engine components 102. For instance, with the intake ports 114provided within the vehicle front portion 120 the intake ports 114 areable to provide unfouled air (e.g., substantially free of particulate,smoke, mud, water or the like) to the engine components 102 arranged atthe vehicle rear portion 122. In another example, where the intakesystem 112 includes a plurality of intake ports 114 (as opposed toanother example with the intake system 112 including a single intakeport 114) a first intake port 114 is on a first vehicle side 108 and asecond intake port 114 is on a second vehicle side 110. Accordingly, ifone of the intake ports 114 is fouled (e.g., partially or fully blockedwith water, mud, particulate or the like) the other opposed intake port114 in most situations remains open to ensure a consistent flow of airto the associated engine components 102.

The intake system 112 is described in detail herein. As shown in FIGS. 1and 2, the intake system 112 includes the intake duct 118 extending fromthe engine component 102 to the engine air passage 116. The intake duct118 communicates with the engine air passage 116 and the engine airpassage 116 communicates in turn with the one or more intake ports 114.As shown in the example of FIG. 1, the one or more intake ports 114 are,in one example, positioned forward of the vehicle cabin 106. In anotherexample, the intake ports 104 are directed away from the vehicle cabin106 to thereby attenuate noise otherwise directed toward a driver andpassenger within the vehicle cabin. With the intake ports 114 forward ofthe vehicle cabin 106, the intake ports receive clean air relative toair otherwise received, for instance, at the vehicle rear portion 122.At the vehicle rear portion 122 mud, water, particulate or the like arethrown into the air by the operation of the engine components 102 andthe rearward ground engaging members 104. Generally speaking, lessparticulate, mud or water is disturbed by the ground engaging members104 at the vehicle front portion 120 (and if disturbed is directed atleast partially toward the vehicle rear portion 122). Accordingly, thevehicle front portion 120 provides a relatively clean source of air incontrast to the vehicle rear portion 122.

FIG. 2 shows another view of a portion of the vehicle 100 including, forinstance, the vehicle frame 200. As shown, the vehicle frame iscomprised of a plurality of frame components 202 that provide theoverall framework for the vehicle 100. As shown in FIG. 2, a pluralityof frame components 202 are provided at the vehicle rear portion 122,the vehicle front portion 120, the portions of the frame correspondingto the vehicle cabin 106 and the first and second vehicle sides 108,110. In some examples, the frame components 202 include one or moretubular frame components, for instance, square tubes, round tubes or thelike extending through the vehicle 100.

As further shown in FIG. 2, the engine components 102, in one example,include an engine 206, a transmission, such as a continuous variabletransmission 204. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the engine components102 are provided within the vehicle rear portion 122, for instance,behind the vehicle cabin 106. The intake duct 118 (previously shown inbroken lines in FIG. 1) extends from an engine component intake port 210forward to the vehicle front portion 120. As further shown, the intakeduct 118 extends to the engine air passage 116 and is in communicationwith the engine air passage 116 at a duct port 208. One or more intakeports 114 (in this example, two intake ports 114) are provided atopposed ends of the engine air passage 116. As shown, the engine airpassage 116 extends to the left and right of the duct port 208 to eachof the intake ports 114. Accordingly, the intake ports 114 provideintake air to the intake duct 118 through the engine air passage 116 andthe duct port 208 to provide intake air to one or more of the enginecomponents 102 (e.g., one or more of a transmission 204, engine 206other engine component or the like).

As further shown in the example of FIG. 2, in one example, the engineair passage 116 is included as part of one of the frame components 202of the vehicle frame 200. For instance, the frame component 202 shown inFIG. 2 extends to the left and right of the duct port 208 and providesthe engine air passage 116. The intake ports 114 are provided neareither end of the frame component 202. Accordingly, the frame component202 besides providing a structural component also provides a tubularduct, passage or the like for the engine air passage 116 to therebyfacilitate the delivery of intake air to the duct port 208 and theintake duct 118 for eventual use at the one or more engine components102 including, but not limited to, the CVT 204, the engine 206 or thelike.

In another example, the engine air passage 116 is associated withanother member, for instance, a non-framed component coupled with thevehicle frame 200. For instance, one or more of a tube, duct, flexibletubing, flexible ducting or the like extends from the duct port 208 tothe one or more intake ports 114. FIG. 2 shows the intake ports 114 atthe first and second vehicle sides 108, 110. In another example,however, the intake ports 114 are provided at different locationsrelative to the positions shown in FIG. 2. For instance, in one example,the intake ports 114 provided on an upper hood portion or near an upperhood portion of the vehicle 100 (e.g., consider another example of avehicle side). In another example, the intake ports 114 are positionedmore centrally relative to the positions shown in FIG. 2, for instance,to either side of the duct port 208. As will be shown herein, thespacing, in one example, between the duct port 208 and the intake ports114 is, in one example, varied according to the construction of thevehicle, desired positioning of the intake ports 114 or the like.

FIGS. 3A and 3B show additional views of one example of the intakesystem 112. In the example shown in the FIG. 3A, 3B, other components ofthe vehicle 100 including frame components 202 (as shown in FIG. 2) andthe like are removed to provide an unobstructed view of the intakesystem 112. Referring first to FIG. 3A, the intake system 112 is showncoupled with one or more engine components 102. In the example shown,the engine components 102 include one or more of a continuous variabletransmission (CVT) 204, an engine 206 or the like. The intake duct 118of the intake system 112 is coupled with the engine components 102, forinstance, the CVT 204 by way of an engine component intake port 210. Theintake duct 118 extends from the engine components 102 and, as shown inFIG. 3A, is coupled with the engine air passage 116 at a duct port 208.In the view shown in FIG. 3A, the engine air passage 116 optionallyextends into or out of the page. As shown, at least one intake port 114is provided near an end of the engine air passage 116 (e.g., at the endor proximate the end). As previously described herein in other examples,the one or more intake ports 114 are provided at intermediate positionsalong the engine air passage 116, for instance, at orifices providedalong the engine air passage 116 including, but not limited to, a framecomponent 202. As shown in FIG. 3A, the engine air passage 116 in thisexample is provided as part of the frame component 202 extending intoand out of the page. In another example, the engine air passage 116 isincluded with or provided by one or more of a dedicated tube, passage,duct or the like, for instance, coupled with another portion of thevehicle such as the vehicle frame 200.

FIG. 3B shows a schematic view of the intake system 112. In thisexample, the intake system 112 is schematically shown in a similarorientation to that shown in FIG. 3A. A schematic version of the vehiclecabin 106 is between the engine components 102 and the intake ports 114.As shown in FIG. 3B, the intake ports 114 are provided in front of thevehicle cabin 106 relative to the engine components 102. In anotherexample, the intake ports 114 are provided on either side of the vehiclecabin 106. For instance, the intake ports 114 are directed laterallyrelative to the vehicle cabin 106 and accordingly noise generated byengine components 102 (and delivered through the intake system 112) isdirected in an outward fashion away from the vehicle cabin 106.

Referring again to FIG. 3B, the engine air passage 116, in this example,one or more of a tube, duct, frame component 202 or the like extends tothe left and the right of the duct port 208. For instance, each of theintake ports 114 are spaced an amount corresponding to bracketed linesshown in FIG. 3B. In one example, the intake port 114 on a first side(e.g., a first vehicle side 108 in FIG. 2) of the vehicle 100 is spacedby a first spacing 300 from the duct port 208. And the second intakeport 114 (e.g., on a second vehicle side 110) is spaced from the ductport 208 by a second spacing 302. In one example, the first and secondspacings 300, 302 are identical. That is to say, the intake ports 114are positioned equidistantly from the duct port 208. In another example,the first and second spacings 300, 302 are different (e.g., the firstand second spacing 300, 302 are not equal).

In one example, the intake duct 118 is coupled with the engine airpassage 116 at a position shifted relative to the midpoint shown in FIG.3B. For instance, the intake duct 118 is routed differently through thevehicle 100 according to other components of the vehicle including, butnot limited to, the suspension; the vehicle frame 200; components in thevehicle front or rear portions 120, 122; components in the vehicle cabin106; such as the dashboard; controls (steering, throttle) or the like.With the duct port 208 and the intake duct 118 laterally shifted, in oneexample, the first and second spacings 300, 302 are therebycorrespondingly changed to position one of the intake ports 114 closerrelative to the duct port 208 than the other intake port 114. Each ofthe intake ports 114 whether equidistantly or differently spaced fromthe duct port 208 provide air flow to the intake duct 118 andaccordingly to the one or more engine components 102. As previouslydescribed, in one example the intake ports 114 are positioned near thefirst and second vehicle sides 108, 110. In another example, the intakeports 114 are positioned at different locations on the vehicle 100. Forinstance, one of the intake ports 114 is, in one example, provided oneither the first or second vehicle sides 108, 110 and the other vehicleport is provided at a different location, for instance, on the hood; thevehicle top portion; vehicle bottom portion; vehicle front or rearportions 120, 122; within a portion of the frame or the like (each ofthese locations corresponding to a different location, side or portionof the vehicle as used herein). In another example, the intake ports 114at differing locations are provided at proximate (spaced apart andthereby different) locations at one or more portions of the vehiclefront portion 120, rear portion 122, sides 108, 110 or the like.

Referring again to FIG. 3B, the intake system 112 is shown schematicallyin an operative configuration. For instance, air is received through theintake system 112 according to the intake direction 304 arrows shown inFIG. 3B. As shown, air received at the one or more intake ports 114 isdelivered to the duct port 208. The intake duct 118 delivers the airalong the intake direction 304 toward the engine components 102. In oneexample, the intake ports 114 include a composite cross-sectional areaat least equal to the cross-sectional area of the duct port 208 and theintake duct 118. In another example, the cross-sectional area of theintake ports 114 when taken together is greater than the correspondingcross-sectional area of the intake duct 118 or the duct port 208. Whereone of the intake ports 114 is fouled (partially or fully), forinstance, by water, mud, particulate matter or the like (e.g., while thevehicle 100 is traversing uneven terrain, within water or the like) theremaining unobstructed intake port 114 (for instance at a differentlocation on the vehicle 100) is configured to provide an adequate amountof air flow through the respective intake port 114 for the enginecomponents 102 through the intake duct 118. That is to say, the intakeports 114 as well as the corresponding portions of the engine airpassage 116 are sized and shaped to provide sufficient air to the enginecomponents 102 while another of the intake port 114 or another portionof the engine air passage 116 is otherwise fouled (e.g., obstructed,blocked partially or fully) or the like. In an example, the crosssectional area of each intake port 114 and the engine air passage 116(from the port to the intake duct 118) is at least equal to the crosssectional area of the intake duct 118. In another example, the compositecross sectional area of the respective intake ports 114 and theassociated engine air passage (for each port 114) is at least doublethat of the intake duct 118.

As further schematically shown in FIG. 3B, engine noise 306 is divertedthrough the intake system 112 away from the remainder of the vehicle 100including, for instance, the vehicle cabin 106 shown in FIGS. 3B and 1.In the example shown in FIG. 3B, engine noise 306 is generated by one ormore of the engine components 102 and delivered into the intake system112 in a direction opposed to the intake direction 304 for the air.Engine noise 306 is delivered through the intake system 112, forinstance, in a torturous pathway shown by the intake duct 118 whetherprovided in FIG. 3 or shown in other figures herein. The torturouspassage of the engine noise 306 attenuates the engine noise 306 prior toexit from the intake system 112.

The (attenuated) engine noise 306 is delivered from the intake system112 and away from the vehicle 100, for instance, from the intake ports114. As shown in FIG. 3B, diverted noise 308 is provided from each ofthe intake ports 114. As shown in FIG. 3B, the diverted noise 308 isdirected away from the vehicle cabin 106. In one example, the intakeports 114 are positioned outside of the vehicle cabin 106 and directedaway from the vehicle cabin 106. As shown in FIG. 3B, the intake ports114, in one example, are provided forward relative to the vehicle cabin106 and open away from the vehicle cabin 106. The diverted noise 308(attenuated by passage through the intake system 112) is delivered awayfrom the rider and driver within the vehicle cabin 106 to accordinglyprovide a minimized noise profile for the vehicle 100.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show additional examples of the intake system 112. Theintake duct 118 is routed through the vehicle 100, for instance, throughthe vehicle frame 200 to the engine air passage 116. Referring first toFIG. 4, the intake duct 118 extends upwardly from an elbow near a bottomportion of the vehicle 100 and is coupled at a duct port 208 with theengine air passage 116. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the engine airpassage 116 includes a frame component 202 extending laterally relativeto the intake duct 118. In another example, the engine air passage 116is provided by a tube, duct or the like extending through the vehicle100, for instance, laterally. As previously described, the engine airpassage 116 extends from the intake duct 118 to one or more intake ports114. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the intake ports 114 are providedon opposed sides of the engine air passage 116 relative to the duct port208.

One example of the intake port 114 is shown in the side view of FIG. 5extending out of the page. The intake port 114 has, in one example, across-sectional area at least equal to the cross-sectional area of theintake duct 118. In another example, the intake port 114 includes firstand second intake ports 114 (or additional intake ports) having acomposite cross-sectional area greater than the cross-sectional area ofthe intake duct 118. As previously described herein, if one of theintake ports 114 is fouled (partially or fully), the remaining intakeport or ports 114, for instance on another side of the vehicle 100, areconfigured to provide sufficient air flow to the one or more enginecomponents 102 through the engine air passage 116 and the intake duct118 to offset the decreased flow from the fouled intake port (or ports)114. That is to say, the engine air passage 116, the intake duct 118 andthe corresponding open intake port (o ports) 114 are each of sufficientcross-sectional area to provide adequate air flow to the one or moreengine components 102 coupled with the intake system 112.

Referring again to FIG. 4, the duct port 208 and a portion of the intakeduct 118 (extending vertically in the figure) are provided at a lateralposition relative to the midpoint of the engine air passage 116. In thisexample, the first and second spacings 402, 404 for each of the intakeports 114 from the intake duct 118 varies. For instance, as shown, thevehicle frame 200 includes one or more components such as a steeringcolumn support bracket 400 that are positioned near to or at themidpoint of the vehicle frame 200. Accordingly, the duct port 208 andthe corresponding portion of the intake duct 118 are laterallypositioned relative to the steering column support bracket 400. Thefirst and second spacings 402, 404 are varied to account for theposition of the duct port 208. As shown, the first spacing 402 for theintake port 114 (on the left side) is greater than the second spacing404 of the intake port 114 (on the right side of the vehicle 100). Inanother example, the engine air passage 116 includes a nonlinear shapeconfigured to extend around one or more other features of the vehicle100 including, but not limited to, other frame components, wiringharnesses, dashboard components, engine components or the like providednear to the intake system 112. For instance, in one example, one or moreof the engine air passage 116 or the intake duct 118 includes anonlinear configuration to navigate around one or more other componentsof the vehicle 100. The engine air passage 116, the intake duct 118 andthe intake ports 114 remain configured, even in the nonlineararrangement, to provide intake air to the one or more engine components102. As described herein the non-linear (e.g., tortuous) passages of theintake system 112 attenuate noise otherwise delivered through the intakesystem.

FIG. 6 shows another view of a portion of a vehicle, such as the vehicle100. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the vehicle frame 200 is providedagain along with one or more engine components 102 and another exampleof an intake system 600. In the example shown, the intake system 600includes an intake duct 604 extending from the one or more enginecomponents 102 to another portion of the vehicle, for instance, a frontportion of the vehicle including an engine air passage 602.

In contrast to the previously described intake system 112, the exampleintake system 600 provided in FIG. 6 uses differing frame components202, tubes, ducts or the like to provide the engine air passage 602 andthe one or more intake ports 608. For instance, as shown, the intakesystem 600 includes a plurality of frame components 202 extendinglaterally and vertically relative to the intake duct 604 (e.g., from theduct port 606). As shown, from the duct port 606 the engine air passage602 is bifurcated and extends to the left and the right of the intakeduct 604.

The engine air passage 602 continues into other frame components 202,for instance, the substantially vertical component shown in FIG. 6. Theframe components 202 include the intake ports 608 as shown in FIG. 6. Aswith other examples described herein, the intake system 600 optionallyincludes one or more intake ports 608. In another example, the intakesystem 600 includes a plurality of intake ports including two or moreintake ports provided on one or more frame components 202 including thecomponents shown in FIG. 6 or other frame components.

The example shown in FIG. 6 illustrates the concept that the intakeports 608 are positionable at one or more locations on the vehicle 100and are not simply limited to the configurations or placementspreviously shown. Instead, the one or more intake ports 608 are readilypositioned around the vehicle, for instance, in one or more positionsoutside of the vehicle cabin to ensure the delivery of a clean flow ofintake air to the one or more engine components 102 while at the sametime attenuating noise otherwise incident within the vehicle cabin 106shown in FIG. 1. In the view shown in FIG. 6, the intake ports 608 areprovided at a forward position relative to the vehicle cabin (positionedbetween the one or more engine components 102 and the intake ports 608).In another example, the intake ports 608 are directed outwardly from thevehicle 100, for instance, to the left and the right relative to thevehicle 100. Accordingly, noise generated by the engine components 102and delivered through the intake system 600 is delivered (e.g., divertedoutwardly) away from the vehicle 600 and minimized for hearing by thedriver, rider or the like.

FIG. 7 shows another example of an intake system 700 coupled with firstand second engine components 702, 704. Although FIG. 7 shows the intakesystem 700 used with first and second engine components 702, 704, inanother example the intake system 700 (as well as any of the otherexample intake systems described herein) are used with two or moreengine components. The intake system 700 includes first and secondintake ducts 706, 708 separately extending away from the first andsecond engine components 702, 704 toward an engine air passage 710including one or more intake ports, such as the intake port (or ports)716. As shown in FIG. 7, separate first and second intake ducts 706, 708are provided. In another example, the first and second engine components702, 704 include a unitary intake duct, for instance, similar to theintake duct 118 previously shown herein that provides air to each of thefirst and second engine components 702, 704. The example compositeintake duct is similarly in communication with the engine air passage710.

Returning to the example shown in FIG. 7 including first and secondintake ducts 706, 708, the ducts 706, 708 communicate with the engineair passage 710 by respective first and second duct ports 712, 714. Asfurther shown in FIG. 7, the intake system 700, in this example,includes first and second intake ports 716 provided at differinglocations along the engine air passage 710. As shown in the example, theintake ports 716 are provided at opposed ends of the engine air passage710. As previously described herein, the one or more intake ports 716 aswell as the respective intake ducts 706, 708 and the engine air passage710 are configured to provide sufficient air flow to each of the firstand second engine components 702, 704 to facilitate the full range ofoperation of each of the engine components. That is to say, each of theintake ports 716, in one example, has a cross-sectional area largeenough to provide a dedicated flow of air (if another port 716 ispartially or fully fouled) to each of the first and second enginecomponents 702, 704, for instance, by way of the respective intake ducts706, 708. That is to say, in one example, where a first intake port 716,for instance, in a first portion of the vehicle is clogged, obstructedor the like, the other intake port 716 in another section portion of thevehicle is configured to provide sufficient air flow to each of theengine components to facilitate their full operational range.

As shown in FIG. 7, the engine air passage 710 is optionally a compositeengine air passage that provides a flow of air to each of the first andsecond engine components 702, 704 through the first and second intakeducts 706, 708 (or, in another example described herein, through acomposite intake duct). In another example, the engine air passage 710is split, for instance, into dual engine air passages that eachcommunicate with one of the first and second engine components 702, 704.For instance, the intake system 700 is, in one example, bifurcated toprovide a separate intake system portion for the first engine component702 and a second intake system portion for the second engine component704. In one example, each of the intake system portions includes one ormore intake ports 716. In another related example, the bifurcatedportions of the intake system 700 each include a plurality of intakeports 716 for each portion of the system 700. In one example, thebifurcation of the intake system 700 as described herein isolates eachof the air flows for the first and second engine components 702, 704 tosubstantially prevent the cross-communication of air flow to each of thecomponents.

As previously described herein, the example intake systems, forinstance, the intake systems 112, 600, 700 include intake ducts incommunication with an engine air passage 710. Although these featuresare described separately in one example, each of the ducts and engineair passages are, in one example, conceptually the same passage, forinstance, a continuous or non-continuous tube extending from the one ormore engine components to the respective intake ports as describedherein. The engine air passage and the intake ducts are, in one example,a composite of a plurality of tubes, frame components or the like asdescribed herein. In another example, the engine air passages, intakeducts and the like are provided by way of a unitary tube, framecomponent or the like extending from the first and second enginecomponents to the respective intake ports. Stated another way, thevarious elbows, interconnects, duct ports or the like previouslydescribed herein are interpreted as components of the ducts, engine airpassages or the like and are not necessarily considered separatecomponents or parts (of the ducts or engine air passages). Instead theintake systems are considered as passages extending from the one or moreengine components to the respective intake ports. In some examples, thepassages include, but are not limited to, one or more of the framecomponents such as the frame components 202 previously described andshown herein. In other examples, the various passages of the intakesystems include, but are not limited to, tubes, ducts or the likeextending through the vehicle that incorporate in part portions of theframe such as the frame components 202 or are provided entirely withoutframe components, for instance, as separate tubes extending through thevehicle and routed around the frame components and other components ofthe vehicle 100.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show differing views of the intake system 112 includingadditional optional components. As shown in FIG. 8A, in one example, afouling shield 800 is provided near to or over at least one of theintake ports 114. The opposed fouling shield 800 for the other intakeport 114 is removed in FIG. 8A to expose the other intake port 114.

In one example, the fouling shields 800 are provided as a portion of thebody, for instance, coupled to one or more of the frame components 202of the vehicle frame 200. In another example, the fouling shields 800are separate components from the body of the vehicle 100 and are coupledwith the frame components 202 as described herein. The fouling shields800 extend over at least a portion of the intake ports 114 toaccordingly cover the intake ports 114 and substantially prevent theingress of particulate, mud, water or the like into the intake port 114.For example, where the vehicle 100 is operated in a wildernessenvironment, (e.g., within or around water, mud, dirt, snow or the like)the fouling shields 800 cover each of the intake ports 114 and whileallowing the inflow of air, for instance, around the fouling shields800, the fouling shields substantially prevent the passage of snow,dirt, mud, water or the like (e.g., particulate) into the intake ports114, Accordingly, while the vehicle is operated and particulate matteris disturbed and forced toward the intake ports 114, by the rotation ofthe ground engaging members 104 (FIG. 1) the intake ports 114 readilyprovide a flow of air to the one or more engine component 102 while thefouling shields prevent the ingress of particulate into the ports,engine air passage and intake duct.

Referring now to FIG. 8B, a cutaway of the fouling shield 800 shown inFIG. 8A is provided. As shown, the fouling shield 800 includes an airflow recess 804 formed by an intake port shelter 802. As shown, thefouling shield 800 forms the intake port shelter 802 as a convex portionof the shield 800 spaced from the intake port 114. The corresponding airflow recess 804 is provided between the fouling shield 800 and theintake port 114 to facilitate the ready delivery of air into the intakeport 114 for delivery through the intake system 112 to the one or moreengine components 102. In one example, the intake port shelter 802 andthe corresponding air flow recess 804 are formed to ensure a flow rateof air into the intake port 114 to adequately supply one or more enginecomponents coupled with the intake system 112. For instance, where oneor more of the intake ports 114 are closed or fouled (e.g., with water,mud, dirt, snow or the like) the opposed intake port 114 even with thefouling shield 800 in place is configured by way of the air flow recess804 to provide a sufficient flow of air to that open intake port 114 foruse by the one or more engine components 102.

The fouling shield 800 shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B further provides fornoise attenuation of the engine components 102 coupled with the intakesystem 112. As previously described herein, the tortuous passage fornoise generated by the engine components 102 extends through each of thecomponents of the intake system 112 including the intake duct 118, theengine air passage 116 and the intake ports 114. The intake ports 114direct noise away from the vehicle 100, for instance, away from thevehicle cabin 106 shown in FIG. 1. In other examples, the intake ports114 are positioned outside of the vehicle cabin 106, for instance,forwardly as previously described herein. Additionally, in anotherexample, the intake ports 114 are directed laterally away from thevehicle cabin 106 and accordingly direct noise in an outward fashionfrom the vehicle 100 to minimize noise incident on both of the driverand passenger of the vehicle 100. In the example shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B,the fouling shields 800 provided for the intake ports 114 further mufflenoise delivered from the intake ports 114 to the exterior of the vehicle100. That is to say, the fouling shields 800 intercept noise generatedfrom the intake ports 114 (e.g., diverted noise 308 as shown in FIG. 3B)and substantially muffle the noise prior to delivery of the noise fromthe vehicle 100, for instance, to one or more of the driver, passengeror observers of the vehicle 100. The fouling shields 800 therebyfacilitate and maintain the flow of air to the engine components 102while at the same time muffling and attenuating noise generated by theengine components 102 and otherwise delivered from the intake ports 114.

FIG. 9 shows another example of an intake system 900. The intake system900 includes at least some similar components to the previouslydescribed intake systems provided herein. For instance, the intakesystem 900 includes an engine air passage 904 having one or more intakeports 906. In one example, the engine air passage 904 includes a framecomponent of the overall frame of the vehicle such as the vehicle 100(shown in FIG. 1). The engine air passage 904 is in communication withthe intake duct 902. As shown in FIG. 9, a duct port 908 provides theinterconnection between the intake duct 902 and the engine air passage904. As described herein, in another example the duct port 908 is anintegral portion of one or more of the intake duct 902, the engine airpassage 904 or the like. The intake duct 902 extends toward at least oneengine component 102 and thereby provides a flow of intake to the atleast one engine component 102 (e.g., including, but not limited to, anengine, transmission, such as a continuous variable transmission or thelike).

Referring again to FIG. 9, in one example, the intake ports 906 includeport screens 910 provided over the intake ports 906 (including withinthe engine air passage 904) to screen air received through the intakeports 906 and eventually delivered to the one or more engine components102. In one example, the port screens 910 have sufficient porosity toreadily facilitate the communication of air through the intake ports 906without otherwise throttling or choking the flow of air to the one ormore engine components 102 coupled with the intake system 900. Inanother example, the port screen 910 includes pores sized to capture oneor more of particulate matter including, but not limited to, mud, water,soil, snow or the like otherwise incident at the intake ports 906. Inanother example, the port screens 910 include two or more stages. Forinstance, multiple port screens 910 are provided at or near the intakeports 906. Each of the port screens 901 have differing porosities toprovide two-stage or multi-stage screening of particulate prior tocommunication through the engine air passage 904 to the other componentsof the intake system 900 and the one or more engine components 102.

As further shown in FIG. 9, the intake system 900, in another example,optionally includes an intake attenuator 912. In one example, the intakeattenuator 912 is configured to further attenuate the noise otherwisegenerated by the one or more components 102 and delivered through theintake duct 902 and out of the intake ports 906. The intake attenuator912 includes, but is not limited to, one or more of a quarter waveresonator, a Helmholtz resonator or the like. The intake attenuator 912,in one example, is configured to deliver engine component noise out ofphase relative to noise delivered from the intake ports 906. The out ofphase noise from the intake attenuator 912 interferes with the noisedelivered through the intake ports 906 and accordingly providesadditional muffling of the noise otherwise generated by the one or morecomponents 102. The intake attenuator 912 is optionally included andused in combination with one or more attenuating components, forinstance, the tortuous passages of the intake duct 902, engine airpassage 904 and the like to accordingly minimize the noise profile of avehicle, such as the vehicle 100.

As further shown in FIG. 9, an intake filter 914 is optionally providedwith the intake system 900. The intake filter 914 is optionally providedin line with the intake duct 902. For instance, intake air providedthrough the intake duct 902 (by way of the intake ports 906 and theengine air passage 904) is delivered through the intake filter 914 onits way through the intake duct 902 to the one or more engine components102. The intake filter 914 includes one or more of a plurality ofdiffering filter types including, but not limited to, filters havingfilter media and filters without filter media such as vortex, cyclonic,centrifugal separating filters or the like. One example of an intakefilter, such as a cyclonic intake filter, is shown in FIGS. 10A, B.Referring again to FIG. 9, the intake filter 914 intercepts particulatenot otherwise intercepted by other features of the intake system 900including, for instance the port screens 910, and accordingly prevents(e.g., entirely prevents, minimizes or the like) the ingress ofparticulate or other pollutants into the intake air otherwise receivedat the one or more engine components 102.

One example of an intake filter 914 is shown on FIG. 10A. As previouslydescribed herein, the intake filter 914 includes, but is not limited to,a centrifugal or cyclonic filter configured to provide a vortex thereinto separate particulate from the intake air prior to delivery to the oneor more engine components 102. The intake filter 914 is shown with afilter body 1000 having a filter inlet 1002 and a filter outlet 1004.The filter inlet 1002 is, in one example, provided upstream relative tothe filter body 1000 and accordingly is positioned more proximate to theintake ports 906 and the engine air passage 904 than the filter outlet1004. Conversely, the filter outlet 1004 is provided downstream from thefilter body 1000 and proximate to the one or more engine components 102(e.g., relative to the filter inlet 1002).

Referring again to FIG. 10A, the intake filter 914 includes aparticulate chute 1006 that provides an opening in the filter body 1000for the gravity (and vortex) based exit of particulate from the intakefilter 914 (e.g., from a separation zone 1014 as shown in FIG. 10B)prior to delivery of the intake air through the filter outlet 1004. Theparticulate chute 1006 is further shown in FIG. 10B and opens from thefilter body 1000 as shown.

In operation, the intake filter 914 receives intake air, for instance,through the filter inlet 1002. The intake air passes into the filterbody 1000 according to demand (suction) from the one or more enginecomponents 102. As shown, the intake air assumes a vortex configuration1008 and the vortex configuration 1008 spins or biases the particulate1012 out of the intake air. The particulate 1012 escapes from the filter914 by way of the particulate chute 1006 (e.g., by gravity, force fromthe vortex 1008 or the like). The subsequently filtered air 1010 isdelivered through the filter outlet 1004 to the one or more enginecomponents 102. As shown in FIG. 10B, the filter inlet 1002 delivers theair into the filter 914 including a separation zone 1014 in the vortexconfiguration 1008. The separation zone 1014 is, in one example,positioned above the particulate chute 1006. The particulate 1012removed from the intake air by way of the vortex 1008, accordingly dropsthrough the particulate chute 1006 and exits the filter body 1000 asshown.

In another example, the intake filter 914 shown in FIG. 9 includes oneor more other types of filters, for instance, filters including filtermedia such as a paper filter, corrugated paper filter, cotton or spunfiber filter, non-woven filter or the like. In one example, the filtermedia of the corresponding intake filter is periodically changedaccording to maintenance recommendations, performance based criteria orthe like.

FIG. 11 shows one example of a method 1100 for inputting air to anengine component, such as one or more of the engine components 102. Inan example, the method 1100 optionally further includes attenuatingnoise from the one or more engine components. In describing the method1100, reference is made to one or more components, features, functions,steps or the like described herein. Where convenient, reference is madeto the components, features, functions, steps and the like withreference numerals. Reference numerals provided are exemplary and arenot exclusive. For instance, the features, components, functions, stepsand the like described in the method 1100 include, but are not limitedto, the corresponding numbered elements, other corresponding featuresdescribed herein (both numbered and unnumbered) as well as theirequivalents.

At 1102 the method 1100 includes inputting air to at least one enginecomponent 102 (e.g., one or more engine components 102). At 1104, in oneexample, inputting air includes receiving air at a first intake port,for instance, one of the intake ports 114 shown in FIG. 2. As shown inFIG. 2, one of the intake ports 114 is provided at a first position(e.g., side of the vehicle, portion of a side, portion of the vehicle orthe like) of a vehicle such as the vehicle 100. At 1106, inputtingfurther includes in another example, receiving air at a second intakeport such as the intake port 114 provided at a second position, forinstance, positioned on another side of the vehicle different from thefirst side. In another example, inputting air including, for instance,receiving air at first and second intake ports (1104, 1106) at first andsecond corresponding positions, is conducted at one or more differinglocations on or in the vehicle 100 such as the vehicle 100 shown inFIG. 1. Each of the first and second positions is different. Forinstance, each of the first or second positions are spaced relative toeach other, are positioned on different portions of the vehicle (e.g.,front, rear, left side, right side, top, bottom, within the vehicle) orthe like.

At 1108, in another example, inputting air to the one or more enginecomponents 102 includes directing the air received at the one or moreintake ports 114 (such as the first and second intake ports 114 shown inFIG. 2) to the engine component 102. As previously described herein, inone example, the one or more intake ports 114, in one example, areprovided at either end of an engine air passage such as the engine airpassage 116 shown in FIG. 2 and further shown in FIGS. 3A, B. The engineair passage 116, in one example, is a dedicated duct, tube or the likeconfigured to receive intake air, for instance through the one or moreintake ports 114, and deliver the intake air to the engine component102. In another example, the engine air passage 116 includes one or moreframe components 202 of the frame 200 of the vehicle 100. That is tosay, the engine air passage 116 is provided within the frame component202 and the frame component accordingly doubles as a portion of theframe as well as a portion of the intake system 112 further describedherein (as well as the other exemplary intake systems described herein).

At 1110, the method 1100 optionally includes attenuating engine noisefrom the engine component at least at a vehicle cabin, such as thevehicle cabin 106 of the vehicle 100. In an example, attenuating noiseincludes directing engine noise through each of the one or more intakeports 114 away from the vehicle cabin 106 of the vehicle 100. In oneexample, engine noise is attenuated with the intake system, for instancethe intake system 112 shown in FIG. 3B, by directing engine noisethrough the intake system 112 in a tortuous path. The tortuous pathincludes, in an example, the intake duct 118, the engine air passage 116or the like. The tortuous passage of the engine noise through the intakesystem 112 attenuates (e.g., minimizes) noise generated by the enginecomponents 102 and otherwise delivered from the intake system.

In another example, a component is included in the intake system, forinstance, as shown in the intake system 900 provided in FIG. 9 includingan intake attenuator 912. In one example, the intake attenuator 912includes a resonator configured to provide engine noise out of phaserelative to noise otherwise delivered through the intake ports such asthe intake ports 906. The out of phase engine noise interferes with theengine noise delivered from the intake ports 906 and accordingly furtherdecreases the noise profile of the vehicle 100. In another example, theintake ports 906 are differently spaced from a first location, such asthe duct port 908. The differing spacing is optionally configured (e.g.,in the manner of a resonator) to deliver engine noise from one of theports 906 out of phase (and thereby interfering) relative to the enginenoise form the other port. Optionally, one or more attenuators(including resonators) are included in one or more of the engine airpassage 904, at or near the intake ports 906 or the like.

In another example, the intake ports 114, for instance, shown in FIG. 3Bare provided to either side of the vehicle, for instance, to either sideof the vehicle cabin 106 shown in FIG. 3B. The intake ports 114, asshown, are directed away from the vehicle cabin 106 and accordinglydistribute noise from the vehicle 100 in an outward fashion away fromone or more of the rider, driver, passengers or the like. In anotherexample, the intake ports 114 are provided forward of the vehicle cabin106. By providing the intake ports 114 outwardly relative to the vehiclecabin 106 and directing noise away from the vehicle 100 the noiseprofile of the vehicle 100 is decreased (at least) for the driver andrider.

Several options for the method 1100 follow. In one example, the method1100 includes spacing the first and second intake ports from the intakeduct 118, for instance, the intake port 208 of the intake duct 118 toaccordingly minimize the amount of particulate otherwise receivedthrough the intake ports 114 and delivered to the intake duct 118. Inanother example, one or more port screens, such as the port screens 910shown in FIG. 9, are included with the intake ports or near the intakeports 906 to accordingly screen and thereby remove particulate prior todelivery through the intake system, such as the intake system 900 shownin FIG. 9.

In another example, receiving air at the first intake port and receivingair at the second intake port includes, in one example, receiving air ata first side, for instance, a first side of the vehicle 108 shown inFIG. 1, and a second side such as the second side 110 also shown inFIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, in one example, receiving air at the firstintake port 114 includes, in one example, receiving air at the firstside 108 and at a position in front of a vehicle cabin, such as thevehicle cabin 106. Similarly, receiving air at the second intake port114 at the second position, in one example, includes receiving air atthe second side 110 of the vehicle 100 and at a positon in front of thevehicle cabin 106. As previously described herein, in other examples,the differing locations of the intake ports 114 are, in one example,provided on the same side (but spaced apart) including one or more ofthe sides of the vehicle, top, bottom of the vehicle, within the vehicle100 or the like.

In another example, inputting air to the engine component, such as oneor more engine components 102, includes diverting air around at leastone fouling shield 800 as shown, for instance, in FIG. 8A. The foulingshield 800 is, in one example, provided over one or more of the intakeports 114. In one example, the fouling shield 800 is a component of thebody and extends over the intake port 114 to provide a shield configuredto intercept particulate, snow, water, mud or the like otherwisedelivered to the intake port 114. In another example, the fouling shield800 is a separate component from the body, for instance, a component ofthe vehicle such as the frame, a plate or the like provided over theintake port 114. The fouling shield 800 prevents (e.g., entirelyprevents or minimizes) the ingress of particulate to at least one of thefirst and second intake ports 114.

In another example, attenuating noise from the engine component, forinstance, one or more engine components 102 includes directing enginenoise from the engine component 102 through at least one frame component202. For instance, in one example, such as that shown in FIGS. 2, 3A, B,the frame component 202, in one example, is a component of the intakesystem 112 and accordingly provides additional length to the intakesystem to further attenuate noise otherwise generated by the enginecomponents 102. Further, the frame component 202, in one example directsengine noise away from the vehicle cabin 106 (accordingly to theconfiguration of the intake ports) and correspondingly away from thedriver and rider. In another example, attenuating engine noise from theengine component 102 includes directing engine noise from the enginecomponent near a rear portion of the vehicle 122 toward a front portion120 of the vehicle through an intake duct, such as the intake duct 118shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The method further includes directing enginenoise from the intake duct 118 toward at least one frame component 202in communication with the first and second intake ports 114. The atleast one frame component 202 as described herein directs air from thefirst and second intake ports toward the engine component, for instance,by way of the intake duct 118 in communication with the frame component202.

In still another example, attenuating engine noise from the one or moreengine components 102 includes directing engine noise around or throughat least one fouling shield such as the fouling shield 800 shown inFIGS. 8A, 8B. As previously described herein, the fouling shields 800,in one example, extend over the one or more intake ports 114 andintercept and muffle noise delivered from the intake ports 114 andthereby minimize the noise profile.

Various Notes & Examples

Example 1 can include subject matter, such as can include a vehicleincluding an air intake system for an engine component comprising: avehicle frame including one or more frame components, at least one ofthe one or more frame components includes: an engine air passage, atleast one intake port in communication with the engine air passage, andat least one duct port in communication with the engine air passage; anengine component coupled with the vehicle frame; and an intake ductextending from the at least one duct port to the engine component.

Example 2 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Example 1, to optionally include wherein the engine componentincludes one or more of an engine or a continuous variable transmission.

Example 3 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or any combination of Examples 1 or 2 to optionallyinclude two or more ground engaging members coupled with the vehicleframe and operably coupled with the engine component.

Example 4 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or any combination of Examples 1-3 to optionally includewherein the at least one intake port is at an end of the framecomponent.

Example 5 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of one or any combination of Examples 1-4 to optionally includewherein the at least one intake port of the frame component includesfirst and second intake ports, each of the first and second intake portsin communication with the engine component.

Example 6 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-5 to optionally include wherein the first intakeport is spaced from the at least one duct port by a first portion of theengine air passage, and the second intake port is spaced from the leastone duct port by a second portion of the engine air passage.

Example 7 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-6 to optionally include wherein the first intakeport is at a first position on the vehicle and the second intake port isat a second position on the vehicle, the first position different fromthe second position.

Example 8 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-7 to optionally include wherein the first positionis at a first side of the vehicle, and the second position is at asecond side of the vehicle opposed to the first side.

Example 9 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-8 to optionally include wherein the one or moreframe components includes a frame component extending between first andsecond sides of the vehicle, and the first intake port is at the firstside and the second intake port is at the second side, the second sideopposed to the first side.

Example 10 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-9 to optionally include wherein the at least oneintake port is positioned outside and forward of a vehicle cabin of thevehicle.

Example 11 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-10 to optionally include a fouling shield extendingover the at least one intake port, the fouling shield is spaced from theat least one intake port and configured to allow air flow into the atleast one intake port.

Example 12 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-11 to optionally include a vehicle including an airintake system for a continuous variable transmission comprising: avehicle frame including one or more frame components, at least one ofthe one or more frame components includes: an engine air passage, atleast one intake port in communication with the engine air passage, andat least one duct port in communication with the engine air passage; acontinuous variable transmission coupled with the vehicle frame; and anintake duct extending from the at least one duct port to the continuousvariable transmission.

Example 13 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-12 to optionally include wherein the at least oneintake port includes: a first intake port at a first side of the vehicleoutside of a vehicle cabin, and a second intake port at a second side ofthe vehicle outside of the vehicle cabin, the first and second sides aredifferent.

Example 14 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-13 to optionally include wherein the first intakeport is directed outwardly from the first side and the first intake portis forwardly positioned relative to the vehicle cabin, and the secondintake port is directed outwardly from the second side and the secondintake port is forwardly positioned relative to the vehicle cabin.

Example 15 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-14 to optionally include wherein the framecomponent of the at least one or more frame components is positioned infront of the vehicle dashboard and at an elevation proximate the vehicledashboard.

Example 16 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-15 to optionally include wherein the at least oneintake port is at an elevation proximate the vehicle dashboard.

Example 17 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-16 to optionally include a vehicle including an airintake system for an engine component comprising: a plurality of intakeports at differing locations on a vehicle, the plurality of intake portsincludes at least first and second intake ports: the first intake portis at a first position on a side of the vehicle outside of a vehiclecabin, and the second intake port is at a second position on anotherside of the vehicle outside of the vehicle cabin, the second positiondifferent from the first position; an engine component coupled with thevehicle; and an intake duct extending from the engine component, theintake duct is in communication with each of the first and second intakeports, and each of the first and second intake ports is in communicationwith the engine component through the intake duct.

Example 18 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-17 to optionally include wherein the plurality ofintake ports are in one or more frame components of a vehicle frame, andthe one or more frame components include at least one engine air passageand at least one duct port, and the intake duct is in communication withthe plurality of intake ports through the at least one engine airpassage and the at least one duct port.

Example 19 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-18 to optionally include wherein the first intakeport is spaced from the at least one duct port by a first portion of theengine air passage, and the second intake port is spaced from the leastone duct port by a second portion of the engine air passage.

Example 20 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-19 to optionally include wherein the at least oneduct port is interposed between the first intake port and the secondintake port.

Example 21 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-20 to optionally include wherein the first positionof the first intake port is at a first side of the vehicle, and thesecond position of the second intake port is at a second side of thevehicle opposed to the first side.

Example 22 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-21 to optionally include wherein a composite portcross sectional area of the first and second intake ports is greaterthan or equal to a duct cross sectional area of the intake duct.

Example 23 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-22 to optionally include wherein the first andsecond intake ports are directed away from a vehicle cabin of thevehicle.

Example 24 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-23 to optionally include wherein the first andsecond locations of the first and second intake ports are outside of avehicle cabin of the vehicle.

Example 25 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-24 to optionally include wherein the first andsecond locations of the first and second intake ports are forward of avehicle cabin of the vehicle.

Example 26 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-25 to optionally include wherein the enginecomponent includes one or more of an engine or a continuous variabletransmission.

Example 27 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-26 to optionally include a first fouling shieldextending over the first intake port, a second fouling shield extendingover the second intake port, and the first and second fouling shieldsare spaced from the first and second intake ports, respectively, toallow air flow into the first and second intake ports.

Example 28 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-27 to optionally include wherein the first andsecond fouling shields are included in one or more body panels of thevehicle.

Example 29 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-28 to optionally include a method of inputting airto an engine component and attenuating noise from the engine componentcomprising: inputting air to the engine component including: receivingair at a first intake port at a first position on a side of a vehicle,receiving air at a second intake port at a second position on anotherside of the vehicle, the second position different than the firstposition, and directing the air received at the first and second intakeports to an engine component; and attenuating engine noise from theengine component at least at a vehicle cabin of the vehicle, attenuatingincluding directing the engine noise through each of the first andsecond intake ports away from a vehicle cabin of the vehicle.

Example 30 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-29 to optionally include wherein inputting air tothe engine component includes directing air from the first and secondintake ports through at least one frame component of the vehicle frame.

Example 31 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-30 to optionally include wherein inputting air tothe engine component includes directing air from the at least one framecomponent through an intake duct coupled with the engine component.

Example 32 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-31 to optionally include wherein the first andsecond intake ports are spaced from the intake duct by the at least oneframe component, and inputting air to the engine component includespreventing the ingress of particulate to the engine component accordingto the spacing of the first and second intake ports from the intake ductby the at least one frame component.

Example 33 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-32 to optionally include wherein receiving air atthe first intake port at the first position includes receiving air at afirst side of the vehicle, and receiving air at the second intake portat the second position includes receiving air at a second side of thevehicle opposed to the first side.

Example 34 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-33 to optionally include wherein receiving air atthe first intake port at the first position includes receiving air atthe first side of the vehicle outside of and in front of a vehiclecabin, and receiving air at the second intake port at the secondposition includes receiving air at the second side of the vehicleoutside of an in front of the vehicle cabin.

Example 35 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-34 to optionally include wherein directing the airreceived at the first and second intake ports to the engine componentincludes directing the air to the engine component including one or moreof a continuous variable transmission or an engine.

Example 36 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-35 to optionally include wherein inputting air tothe engine component includes: diverting air around at least one foulingshield extending over at least one of the first and second intake ports,and preventing the ingress of particulate to at least one of the firstand second intake ports with the at least one fouling shield.

Example 37 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-36 to optionally include wherein attenuating enginenoise from the engine component includes directing engine noise from theengine component through at least one frame component, the at least oneframe component directs air from the first and second intake portstoward the engine component.

Example 38 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-37 to optionally include wherein attenuating enginenoise from the engine component includes: directing engine noise fromthe engine component near a rear portion of the vehicle to a frontportion of the vehicle through an intake duct, and directing enginenoise from the intake duct toward at least one frame component incommunication with the first and second intake ports, the at least oneframe component directs air from the first and second intake portstoward the engine component.

Example 39 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-38 to optionally include wherein the first intakeport is at the first position on a first side of the vehicle, and thesecond intake port is at the second position on a second side of thevehicle different from the first side, and attenuating engine noise fromthe engine component includes directing engine noise through the firstand second intake ports including: directing engine noise away from thefirst side with the first intake port, and directing engine noise awayfrom the second side with the second intake port.

Example 40 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subjectmatter of Examples 1-39 to optionally include wherein attenuating enginenoise from the engine component includes directing engine noise aroundat least one fouling shield extending over at least one of the first orsecond intake ports.

Each of these non-limiting examples can stand on its own, or can becombined in any permutation or combination with any one or more of theother examples.

The above detailed description includes references to the accompanyingdrawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawingsshow, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which theinvention can be practiced. These embodiments are also referred toherein as “examples.” Such examples can include elements in addition tothose shown or described. However, the present inventors alsocontemplate examples in which only those elements shown or described areprovided. Moreover, the present inventors also contemplate examplesusing any combination or permutation of those elements shown ordescribed (or one or more aspects thereof), either with respect to aparticular example (or one or more aspects thereof), or with respect toother examples (or one or more aspects thereof) shown or describedherein.

In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and anydocuments so incorporated by reference, the usage in this documentcontrols.

In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patentdocuments, to include one or more than one, independent of any otherinstances or usages of “at least one” or “one or more.” In thisdocument, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that“A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unlessotherwise indicated. In this document, the terms “including” and “inwhich” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms“comprising” and “wherein.” Also, in the following claims, the terms“including” and “comprising” are open-ended, that is, a system, device,article, composition, formulation, or process that includes elements inaddition to those listed after such a term in a claim are still deemedto fall within the scope of that claim. Moreover, in the followingclaims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merelyas labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements ontheir objects.

The above description is intended to be illustrative, and notrestrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or moreaspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Otherembodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the artupon reviewing the above description. The Abstract is provided to complywith 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b), to allow the reader to quickly ascertain thenature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with theunderstanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scopeor meaning of the claims. Also, in the above Detailed Description,various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure.This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosedfeature is essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter maylie in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment.Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription as examples or embodiments, with each claim standing on itsown as a separate embodiment, and it is contemplated that suchembodiments can be combined with each other in various combinations orpermutations. The scope of the invention should be determined withreference to the appended claims, along with the full scope ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle including an air intake system, thevehicle comprising: a vehicle frame comprising a first frame component,the first frame component defining: a first portion of an engine airpassage, a first intake port in communication with the first portion ofthe engine air passage, and a duct port in communication with the firstportion of the engine air passage; an engine component coupled with thevehicle frame; and an intake duct extending from the duct port to theengine component, wherein the first frame component is an integralcomponent of the vehicle frame, and wherein the first intake port ispositioned outboard of the duct port.
 2. The vehicle of claim 1, whereinthe engine component includes one or more of an engine or a continuousvariable transmission.
 3. The vehicle of claim 1 comprising two or moreground engaging members coupled with the vehicle frame and operablycoupled with the engine component.
 4. The vehicle of claim 1, whereinthe first intake port is defined at least partially by a first open endof the first frame component.
 5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein thefirst frame component further defines a second portion of the engine airpassage and a second intake port in communication with the secondportion of the engine air passage, wherein each of the first and secondintake ports is open to the environment, and wherein the second intakeport is positioned outboard of the duct port.
 6. The vehicle of claim 5,wherein each of the first and second portions of the engine air passageextend in opposed directions such that the first intake port is spacedfrom the duct port and the second intake port by respective first andsecond distances, the second distance being twice the first distance. 7.The vehicle of claim 5, wherein the first intake port is at a firstposition on the vehicle and the second intake port is at a secondposition on the vehicle, the first position different from the secondposition.
 8. The vehicle of claim 7, further comprising a vehicle cabin,wherein the first position is outboard of the vehicle cabin on a firstside of the vehicle, wherein the second position is outboard of thevehicle cabin on a second side of the vehicle, the second side beingopposed to the first side, and wherein the first and second straightlines each extend outwardly away from the vehicle cabin.
 9. The vehicleof claim 8, wherein the first and second intake ports are defined byrespective first and second ends of the first frame component such thatthe first frame component extends between the first and second positionson the vehicle, and wherein the first and second straight lines arecoincidental with each other.
 10. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein thefirst intake port is positioned outside and forward of a vehicle cabinof the vehicle.
 11. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a foulingshield extending over the first intake port, the fouling shield beingdisplaced from the first intake port and being configured to allow airflow into the at least one intake port.
 12. The vehicle of claim 1,further comprising a vehicle dashboard positioned at a front region of avehicle cabin of the vehicle, wherein the first frame component ispositioned in front of the vehicle dashboard.
 13. The vehicle of claim12, wherein the first frame component extends laterally along ahorizontal line.
 14. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first framecomponent is a structural component of the vehicle frame.
 15. A vehicleincluding an air intake system the vehicle comprising: a vehicle cabin;a plurality of intake ports at differing locations on the vehicle, theplurality of intake ports including first and second intake portslocated at respective first and second locations: the first locationbeing on a first side of the vehicle positioned outboard from andoutside of the vehicle cabin, and the second location being on a secondside of the vehicle positioned outboard from and outside of the vehiclecabin, the second side being opposed to the first side; an enginecomponent coupled with the vehicle; and an intake duct extending fromthe engine component, the intake duct being in communication with eachof the first and second intake ports, and each of the first and secondintake ports being in communication with the engine component throughthe intake duct.
 16. The vehicle of claim 15, further comprising avehicle frame formed from a plurality of frame components, wherein thefirst intake port is defined by a first frame component of the pluralityof frame components, wherein the first frame component defines a firstportion of an engine air passage and a duct port, and wherein the intakeduct is in communication with the first intake port through the firstportion of the engine air passage and the duct port.
 17. The vehicle ofclaim 16, wherein the first intake port is displaced from the duct portand wherein the first portion of the engine air passage extends from thefirst intake port to the duct port, and wherein the first framecomponent further defines the second intake port and a second portion ofthe engine air passage, the second portion of the engine air passageextending from the second intake port to the duct port.
 18. The vehicleof 16, wherein the at least one duct port is physically positionedbetween the first intake port and the second intake port.
 19. Thevehicle of claim 15, wherein a composite port cross sectional area ofthe first and second intake ports is equal to a duct cross sectionalarea of the intake duct.
 20. The vehicle of claim 16, wherein the firstframe component is an integral component of the vehicle frame.
 21. Thevehicle of claim 20, wherein the first frame component is a structuralcomponent of the vehicle frame.